TJ Wrangler Rubicon: We review The Legend

[@JeepTJWheelin]

The TJ Rubicon is the pinnacle of Jeep. I would take it over any other 4x4 ever made. This video is highly underrated! Definitely among thee best TJ videos. To your point, yes the TJ doesn’t have a lot of room. Which is why I have a jumbo cargo rack that handles up to 300lbs with a 2" hitch. My wife and I and our 2 sons can travel approx 2 hrs to the Outer Banks comfortably. I'm a minimalist and have taught my sons to be. The wife, well that's a work in progress. But you can have a family and still make the TJ work. I thought about a 3" lift w/ 33's but fortunately very early on getting into off roading Jeeps, many told me, their TJ became very sluggish going from just 32's to 33's in addition to a domino effect of needing additional expensive parts. And I'm glad I listened! Because I drove a TJ with this set up and it didn't have that great low end torque and was very slow off the line. And most of them returned to 32's while some fell for the aftermarket bait, very expensive bait. I get many who want to know what is the perfect build. Which is not easy to answer because everyone does different things with their Jeep. But I would like to share mine since my '05 TJ Rocky Mtn drives and handles absolutely amazing on and off-road. Keep in mind, I am NOT a rock crawler, I'm an adventurer who takes the family beach wheelin, beach camping, surf fishing, and we hit fun, moderate trails in the fall and winter getting to our favorite fishing holes and camp sites. Which is why the build is for what's near and for what we do, nothing was put on this TJ unnecessarily for show. I see too many "spotless Jeeps" with 33's - 38's. As long as you have good off road instincts and common sense, a modest, high quality build will allow you and your family to have a lot of fun! All in, I'm at $29k with my '05 TJ Rocky Mtn. And I can honestly say build wise, I'm done!! I might Raptor line it since the TJ has a few rough paint spots and won't ever have to worry about off road pinstriping again. The best part is, this TJ not only keeps up, but outperforms a lot of these $50k - $100k JK's & JL' s. Due in part to people's inexperience and just "over building". The '05 TJ has a modest build, yet is extremely capable, durable and best of all, affordable. I encourage any Jeeper to search for a rust free TJ 4.0 I6, preferably stock, 3.73's w/ LSD and a Dana 44. And to use my build as a "guide". But I highly recommend this build for anyone who is an adventurer, not a rock crawler. Best of all, it will eliminate you from chasing your tail, and the aftermarket will have one less "just empty every pocket" victim out there! It was a lot of trial and error but it has been well worth it. 2" Old Man Emu coils 32" KO2's or 32" BFG MT's Quadratec Baja alloy rims - perfect backspacing - no rub! Currectlync steering Freedom Off Road front adj track bar Napa HD gear box M.O.R.E gear box brace JKS quick disconnects Freedom Off Road front lower Adjustable control arms The rest are Fixed Detroit Axles Transfer case drop kit Fox 2.0 Shox Fox steering stabilizer Professional 4x4 shop to do the alignment Since doing this, I have had the best experience with any vehicle I've ever had. Staying with 32's allows us Jeepers to maintain that great low end torque, saves us a lot of money on unnecessary aftermarket parts and still be able to wheel most anywhere. It's the best of all worlds! One of my favorite mods was added a Banks cat back exhaust giving it a throaty growl, but not obnoxiously loud. Absolutely perfect for the 4.0 I6. Most importantly, be honest with yourself, build your TJ for what you will be using it for. And know YOU CAN do great trails and much more with just a 2" lift and 32" ko2's or MT's! If I ever move to an area with good trails nearby, I will get ARB front and rear lockers and mud terrains, but for now this set up has been a God send. DO NOT let the aftermarket pushers fool or shame you into thinking you "need" 33" - 40" tires and a 5" lift to wheel. That's 🦬💩! They know full well, once they get you at 33's, it's a freaking cash cow for them! Because you just embarked on their multi thousand dollar build conveyor belt. And it's 100% unnecessary for moderate wheelin'! Your axles, drive train, drive shafts, engine, gearing and a host of a lot of other stuff now "needs" to be upgraded. The aftermarket pushers feast on naive people. Don't be that guy! Like cereal companies saying breakfast is the most important meal of the day, the aftermarket will continue to take advantage of the misinformed. O|||||||O 🇺🇲 Only in a 2 Dr 🇺🇲 '41- '06

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

Yup, if I ever got back into a TJ, mine would have 33"s, especially after seeing my Brother-in-laws perform on the Rubicon. We owned a TJ on 35s and I didn't like it, maybe it was the suspension geometry, but it was just too tall and didn't seem to offer any appreciable advantage over 33s at the expense of highway right and MPG. We do rock crawl, up to 7 rated trails, so I can see some advantage to modding, but many of the Jeep guys we talked too on the Rubicon had theirs modded to increase the wheelbase to fit the 35s (or 37s) and be more stable. If one was going to 35s, I would highly recommend the LJ (TJ Unlimited) which is longer, but those are highly sought after these days. Thanks for watching!!

[@JeepTJWheelin]

@@ForgottenWaypoints I like the "look" of 33x12.5 but can't justify the regearing costs, mpg loss and the other aftermarket parts expense necessary to make the negligible jump from 32's. But to each their own. And I agree the LJ is far more suited for 35's, but I've seen 33x12.50 MT's on them do amazingly well on the trail and they still had a stout stance.

[@Jake-pq3iz]

I had one. Speed limits haven’t changed. Drove it back and forth from Memphis.

[@Linknelson]

How does this video only have 93 likes? Give this guy the thumbs up he deserves, super solid review👍🏼👍🏼 In the market for one of these now and this was the perfect video, great work man

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

Thanks! My channel is still small, we hope to get some more reviews up next year!

[@ironoxide3492]

I have a manual '04 Rubicon and I'll never get rid of it. I fully agree with 'it's so much fun to drive'.

[@Thegravyipass]

Just got a 04 TJ sport, so happy to have come across this video.

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

How do you like it?

[@Thegravyipass]

@@ForgottenWaypoints I haven't had it for too long, but I have a feeling it's going to be my favorite vehicle!

[@goldshieldenterprises692]

Awesome review. Well done!! Buying my first Wrangler this weekend (03 Rubicon.)

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

Let me know how you like it!

[@---rg1gb]

Well...how to ya like it??

[@goldshieldenterprises692]

@@---rg1gb Love it!

[@spencerwarren9219]

I just bought a 2003 tj rubicon 100k miles first jeep and love it. Got 33 with 3 inch left warn winch etc..

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

That's arguably all you need! Go explore and have fun.

[@lory2622]

Thanks man, that’s my truck too. But very modded. I agree about all the negatives, and the positives. I sleep in it, with the passenger seat out. Riding 35’s on long arms, caged and other stuff. You need never worry about being left behind, it will out perform your abilities.

[@JeepTJWheelin]

Great review. I have an '05 TJ Rocky Mtn with the AMC 4.0 I6, 3.73 gears, lsd and the Dana 44. Rolling on modest 2.5" Old Man Emu coils, Fox 2.0 Shox and Fox steering stabilizer, Freedom Off Road front lower adj control arms, the rest are fixed Detroit Axles, transfer case drop kit, 32" ko2's, Quadratec Classic Baja alloy rims. This is by far the best vehicle I've had. I'm an adventurer, not a rock crawler. I primarily beach and dune wheel for beach camping and surf fishing. And hit moderate trails on the weekends. If you have any common sense with good off road instincts, there is no need to ever go beyond 32's with a 2.5" lift. The aftermarket has been fooling people for decades about "needing" 35's- 40's to off road, that's 🦬💩 the misinformed fall for year after year. I added the Banks cat back exhaust giving it a stout, throaty growl, but not obnoxiously loud. Absolutely perfect for the 4.0 I6. O|||||||O 🇺🇲 Only in a 2 Dr 🇺🇲 '41- '06

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

Yup, I need to convince my brother in law to add the fox setup to his OME, you aren't the first to suggest it. 33s did awesome on the Rubicon, with that short of a wheelbase, 33 and 32 is perfect. On rigs with longer bases, it's tougher. I can hit the frame on my LX on 34s, but part of that is no doubt due to the poor front suspension travel. Thanks for watching!!

[@JeepTJWheelin]

​@@ForgottenWaypoints You definitely have the pinnacle of Jeep in this video. I would take a TJ Rubicon with 32 - 33" mud terrains, 2" lift, Fox 2.0 Shox, Fox steering stabilizer, Currectlync steering, etc over any other 4x4 ever made. And the 4 dr limos are Jeep abomination. Just awkward, goofy, forever getting caught up on rocks, becoming a trail liability for others and just not even remotely what a true Jeep is. I love any Jeep from '41 - '06, and my '05 TJ Rocky Mtn 4.0L has been phenomenal in off-road capability, amazing on road handling with 32" KO2's and Fox suspension, etc. And most recently installed a Napa HD gearbox and M.O.R.E gearbox bracket has this TJ performing at an apex level I never thought possible. Staying with 32's is paramount to achieving this. Eventually if my family and I move where trails are nearby, I will get ARB front and rear lockers and mud terrains. But for now, the current set up is absolutely perfect. I will follow-up with the build because it has been a God send getting this dialed in perfectly and should be shared among Jeepers.

[@1SIK335]

Glad you said AMC… way to point out Chrysler didn’t make this motor. Chrysler can’t make a motor worth a shit!!

[@brshoggalyboogaly7237]

Lol deff takes some extra energy to drive went from a 2012 Honda crv to my beautiful 03 TJ sport i6 love her dearly

[@PNWJEEPER01]

I think that one of the best features of the TJ at any trim level is that in most cases it's cheap and easy to maintain and repair. With this generation of the Wrangler Rubicon, the vehicle's design found a sweet spot where it incorporated truly meaningful upgrades like EFI, lockers in D44's, 4:1 reduction, coil springs & electric windshield wipers (wipers went from vacuum to electric over decades earlier, but if you've ever been in a CJ5, 6 or 7 in even moderate rain, you know that the value of that particular upgrade CANNOT be overstated and should probably have it's own holiday) while retaining many of the features that made the model attractive, such as small dimensions, body on frame, simple and serviceable & excellent power-to-weight ratio. Most parts are non-vehicle-specific, off-the-shelf stuff which can be found in stock at any parts store in the country; some parts can even be found at your local hardware store in a pinch. With the exception of the coil springs, a/c and EFI, the assemblies throughout most of the vehicle are unchanged from the vehicles of the 60's & 70's that we grew up working on which makes most procedures a simple breeze and this vehicle ideal for someone who does their own work.

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

Well said. I remember hitting a downpour with the top off in our CJ7 on the interstate. Not only could the motor not keep up, but we had to wipe the windshield off from the inside! Good times. And fuel injection was a HUGE off road upgrade over carburation. Today's generation doesn't know what it's like to choke the engine on a 30 degree incline with a manual transmissioned 4wd!

[@PNWJEEPER01]

@@ForgottenWaypoints and then have to walk home uphill both ways ; )

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

What a fantastic review! You were very thorough and I own pretty much the exact same vehicle only on a 4.25” Zone combo lift and 35’s and I’m amazed how it can go just about anywhere. This is coming from someone who’s owned two JKU Rubicons previously. For daily commuting and family trips, JKU, but this is my weekend rock crawler and sometimes work commutes. It does excellent!

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

The short wheelbase has so many advantages, my family is just too big now!

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

Forgotten Waypoints yeah the room (lack of it) is a disadvantage. But like you said, when you add room, better mpg, etc., it all starts taking away from the off road capability. You explained it perfectly!

[@campcrafter4613]

Good professional review! Yes .I have a TJ.

[@Faq-ubeach]

So I'm on my like 5th TJ, and my current one is a 2004 Rubicon. For anyone reading this, thinking about getting one here's my opinion: To me, these are a perfect combo between the old cj jeeps and a new jeeps. We all want the old cool looking cjs...but they're impractical. They're not super reliable, not generally comfortable on the road as a daily driver. but yet the new jeeps are to comfortable. I've had about all generations of them except the newest...to me, the TJ is a perfect combo of that old school feel while still being modern enough to actually be comfortably used on a daily basis. Granted, it's not a great long haul vehicle. The furthest I've taken mine is about 7-8 hours one way, straight highways to the UP (upper peninsula of Michigan)...and it was okay, but it got kinda tiring and uncomfortable after like the 2nd hour. (The bounce, wind noise, the seats, getting blown around by wind and larger vehicles, they struggle to do more than 70mph...they take more steering wheel attention etc.) the stock suspensions steeringd are nothing like the on road rides we have now. I daily drive mine, but if I was going anywhere over an hour away...I'd probably take our other car these days. Just for the comfort. Also, for us do it yourself people this jeep is a perfect combo of modern enough to be reliable...but still basic enough to be fixed by ourselves with hand tools. The newest TJ is like 15 years old. So they'll prolly need work. Get the 4.0. The 2.5 is kinda a dog....I've had one. I've known to many friends trying to figure out how to get more power out of the 2.5 and they can't. Engine swaps are not super easy....just get the 4.0. For those wanting to put big tires, you'll prolly need atleast a 4 inch lift for useable 35s, and do your research on that. Lifting jeeps isn't as easy as old lead spring square bodies. A functioning 4 inch lift will require new drive shafts, track bars, sway bar links, steering adjustments, axle adjustments, new brake lines...it's a whole can of worms to do it right.

[@JeepTJWheelin]

If you have a quality suspension and a hardtop, the long trips aren't too bad. I have an '05 TJ Rocky Mtn that provides an excellent ride after installing Fox Shox and Fox stabilizer w/ old man emu coils and new control arms. I'm looking to either get a BullDawg hardtop or a very high quality best top premium twill soft top to quiet down the wind noise. Sure, I'd rather be in a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland edition for those long trips, but if you have a high quality suspension, the TJ is a decent long distance vehicle.

[@---rg1gb]

Excellent assessment. I completely agree

[@sirvilhelmofyonderland]

I just bought a 2005 Rubicon with 68,564 miles on it, 1 owner.

[@dad3562]

Any issues ? I’m thinking about being retarded and buying an 06 Rubicon, manual, with 52k miles for $25,000…. Wife doesn’t know much about KBB but hell, she got a brand new Rubicon.

[@nate4036]

It’s all in the suspension and tire choice for on road driving. My LJ is on 35s, 4” long arm for a low center of gravity. It drives great on highway, handles surprisingly well even on the Dragons Tail here in TN. But I understand you’re comparing a basic setup.

[@jeffallan3761]

Just picked up an ‘04 Rubi. I want to sell my ‘18 JK. Missed my TJs. Much more fun than the new Jeeps

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

They can be a little squirrley on the highway, but are few rigs that can match the joy of a TJ in the dirt with the top off!

[@---rg1gb]

Jeff. Can you elaborate on that? I've had jk and jl so far....thinking about buying a tj

[@chriscraft77022]

you earned a sub.. best video on the TJ Rubicon.. is that your personal vehicle? i just got an 04 Rubicon.. very clean like that one..

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

No, it's my brother in law's. He just bout a new JL. He's on Instagram @dirtpaths. Thanks for the comment!

[@agoodandy1]

TJ's Do not need a trail rated badge because The TJ Rubicon was made to take on the Rubicon trail in stock form. Like what was said but this omitted, the turning circle is astounding! On my long arm lift I can do a 360 with a bit of curb rub on a two way street here in Chicago. That is a big plus, especially when you are parallel parking, with it being so short, and narrow, I'm less likely to have my mirrors bashed in. Thats a big plus here in the windy city.

[@double_o_dan]

is there a difference between the 2004 rubicon with the badge and the 2004 rubicon without?

[@twotrackjack5202]

!!!!!AWESOME Review!!!!!

[@michaelsteelepix]

"It is the standard"

[@josephgrossi8925]

Whats the rim n tire size and if theres a lift added , looks perfect , thanks

[@crumpb63]

Good review I feel you're off on a couple small details. AMC is actually the one that made the 4.0 injected engine. But at the same time AMC also had the 4.2 carbureted engine which was in the Wrangler through 1990 then it was replaced by the 4.0 fuel injected engine. The standard transfer case for a Wrangler is not 2 to 1 but is a 2.72 to 1. I currently have a 2005 TJ unlimited and love it.

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

Good catch. Not sure how I missed that, other than talking in a camera is a pain.

[@luiszepeda475]

Great video! You say only the truth! Jeep’s are the funniest vehicles to drive! 👍

[@marktwain5722]

Well done and objective. Would you say a TJ sport or Sahara drive noticeably better on road? Would those be a better choice for trail riding hunting trails and daily driver?

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

They drive the same. Not all Saharas have DANA 44s in the rear. No Sports had DANA 44s (if I remember right). So compared to a sport, the Sahara is going to have a better interior and better hardware underneath. Ride should be the same. Heck, at this age, ride is going to be primarily determined by wear/maintenance than it will trim level. Especially if it's lifted. Not all lifts are equal. We had a Sport with a mild lift that could crawl everywhere. We had a Sahara on a more "performance" lift that was pretty dang good on-road but was terrifying off-road (it just wanted to tip because it was too flexy. Something was wrong). Thanks for the feedback, and happy hunting for a TJ. The last of the classic Jeeps!

[@brshoggalyboogaly7237]

140k km on my 03 tj atm shes great

[@xmdbd552]

You would think in this day and age they would make a cargo roof rack or maybe something like a hitch with cargo carrier with weatherproof luggage. My FAMILY loves our 2004 tj rubicon with 30000 original owner miles.

[@Jake-pq3iz]

I drive mine 63-64 on the freeway. Same with my JK.

[@1SIK335]

WIMP. drove my 04 TJ hours in the highway with 35 mud ties, not bad at all.

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

I used to do that with my CJ7 all the time for 3-5 hours to the trailhead. It still wasn’t fun or comfortable.

[@1SIK335]

@ just messin with ya

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

What mic set up are you using? I got a panasonic line that looks like the one in your hand and I bought a lavalier mic but it won’t work with it. Thanks in advance! Nice review! I own an 04 TJ Rubicon. It is awesome!

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

I think mine is a Sony recorder, maybe it's a panny? The lavalier is a Dewyze, but you need a 4-3 pin converter to make it work. Took me awhile to figure that out. It looks like a stubby extension, male end plugs into the recorder and the female to the mic and it will work!

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

Forgotten Waypoints ahhh that’s probably what’s up with it. I’ll give that a shot. I was so bummed when they wouldn’t work together. Thanks a lot! And actually my voice recorder is a Sony, not a Panasonic like I previously said. I’ve actually been using it for voiceovers in my recent vids.

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

The sound at idle can be easily and cheaply remedied.

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

We had a white 4.0 TJ Sahara that had a header (can't remember the exhaust) and it sounded great. I shout have mentioned that.

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

Forgotten Waypoints all I did was replace the factory muffler with the Magnaflow glass pack muffler ($35 on Amazon) and it sounds almost perfect to me. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJzEkJiiapV_lZo

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

Forgotten Waypoints it has a nice throaty rumble that almost sounds as mean and tough as my 5.0L Coyote V8 in my Mustang.

[@joewilliams3892]

Just saying have you ever heard of a roof rack or hitch hiker to carry extra stuff when taking the family somewhere like vacation? The TJ doesn’t have much room inside but it’s easy to pack for weeks with a roof rack/hitch hiker. Just sayin.

[@xmdbd552]

I was going to say the same thing lol. unfortunate that they don’t make a roof rack and cargo carriers then you would have the ideal vehicle

[@brshoggalyboogaly7237]

Idles at 500rpm deff gonna sound timid

[@lifelong5425]

Got one....

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

How do you like yours?

[@Jake-pq3iz]

I’m considering selling my JKUR for TJR.

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

You'd get a significantly more nimble and maneuverable platform!

[@Jake-pq3iz]

Didn’t sell my JK. Bought my 04 Flame Red Rubicon back from the guy I sold it to 13 years ago. Only 73k miles on it.

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

@@Jake-pq3iz , sounds like an awesome find! Go on some fun adventures!

[@scavenom2008]

OME lift....Old Man Emu

[@markmassey3506]

He's talking alot of nonsense